National Football League

McCoy will be 49ers' backup QB

Published Aug. 26, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Colt McCoy said Sunday night that he restructured his contract for the season late Saturday, and coach Jim Harbaugh named the quarterback San Francisco's backup behind Colin Kaepernick despite an inconsistent preseason.

''I feel real good right now that Colt's the backup,'' Harbaugh said Sunday night after McCoy went 11 for 15 for 109 yards, an interception and a sack in the 49ers' 34-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. ''Thing that's been very encouraging is he's progressed and gotten better every week. Tonight, just down after down, consistently good, that's what we've been looking for.''

Harbaugh met with McCoy multiple times during the week, the quarterback said.

''Between each of us, we kind of figured each other out a lot better. I played better, first of all,'' McCoy said. ''It's been good. He reiterated that (I'd be the backup) to me, too.''

While neither Harbaugh nor McCoy offered specifics of the new agreement, McCoy's deal is now believed to be for the NFL minimum of $630,000 with incentives if he were to reach certain playing time marks - down from the $1.5 million base salary he would have been due. McCoy said he still will be a free agent after this season.

He added that there wasn't a discussion that if he restructured his contract he would earn a roster spot.

It sure sounds as if McCoy wanted to stay put, and have a chance to chase a Super Bowl ring with the reigning NFC champions.

''This is a tremendous team. It's well coached, it's a great organization from top to bottom,'' he said. ''When I was approached, again this is personal, but I'm glad to be here. That's new to me. I've never done anything like that.''

The 26-year-old former University of Texas star joined the 49ers during the offseason after three years with the Cleveland Browns. Before Sunday, McCoy had completed 6 of 13 passes for 76 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions while also getting sacked once in the team's first two exhibition games.

When San Francisco signed veteran Seneca Wallace on Thursday, McCoy knew he hadn't performed as well as he would like and didn't know where he might stack up on the depth chart - and there was speculation the 49ers were prepared to cut him if they couldn't find a trade partner to take him.

''I hadn't picked up on the offense as well as I'd like to, and that's no one's fault but mine,'' he said. ''I'm staying up there `til midnight trying to just figure things out. Maybe I was thinking a little too much, maybe not. For whatever reason I just picked up on it a little slower. Over the last week, I just really feel like things have kind of come together, I've practiced really well. Minus a couple exceptions, I thought I played well tonight. All of that is just confidence for me moving forward. Was I ever scared or nervous? No. I wasn't worried about the situation. I was more concerned about me getting a grasp of what's going on.''

Now, Wallace, Scott Tolzien and rookie B.J. Daniels will compete for the third QB job. Rosters are cut down to 75 players Tuesday.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org